Obituary of Joseph E. Newbern

Memorial services for Joseph E. Newbern, 69, of Lexington, will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington. Pastor Bruce Garner will officiate. The service will conclude with US Army Honors. The family will greet friends from 2:00 – 3:00 PM, Sunday, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mr. Newbern passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Born in Ft. Monroe, VA, he was a son of the late Joseph E. Newbern and Florence Esther Grogan Newbern. Joe served his country proudly in the US Army and S.C. National Guard, serving during the Vietnam War. Joe was also an accomplished and talented artist, primarily working in watercolors and sketching. His work was awarded at the SC State Fair. He loved being in the outdoors, especially fishing with his brother in Charleston. Joe was employed at Harsco Rail for 45 years, up until the time of his passing. His fellow employees remember him as someone who was full of life and humor. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Mr. Newbern is survived by his loving wife of  11 years, Ruth Marie Hilliard Newbern; son, Joseph Christopher Newbern (Effie Mae), of Leesville; daughter, Janna C. Newbern Rankin (Richard), of Leesville; step-son, Brad Borden (Mandy), of West Columbia; step-daughters, Allison Brinson (Woody), of Lexington; Stephanie Hall (Josh) of Lexington; many loving grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, Roderick Newbern (Robin) of Charleston; sisters, Roxanne Newbern Schrage (Jim) of Charleston; Helena Newbern of Charleston.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Lexington Medical Center for their loving and compassionate care.